Mokbel’s long-time lawyer in police probe

The long-time lawyer of Tony Mokbel is being investigated by the criminal proceeds squad following raids on her home, office and a client’s prison cell.

Tony Mokbel’s long-time lawyer is under investigation by Victoria Police’s criminal proceeds squad.

The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal Sarah Tricarico, a 34-year-old criminal defence lawyer, was arrested and questioned by police on Tuesday, February 1, after investigators

executed three warrants, which included a raid at the lawyer’s home, her office and an inmate’s cell at Port Phillip Prison in Melbourne’s west.

That client – not Mokbel – has recently been represented by Ms Tricarico.

Ms Tricarico was released by police without charge pending further investigation.

The probe is not in relation to Mokbel, who Ms Tricarico is acting for in an appeal against his drug trafficking convictions.

The Saturday Herald Sun understands the prison inmate who was raided as part of the police operation this week is charged with offences captured by the worldwide ANOM sting.

It is believed a computer and documents were seized from the inmate’s cell, before being returned.

Tony Mokbel’s long-time lawyer Sarah Tricarico.

Sources say another inmate’s cell may have also been raided.

Victoria Police released a statement confirming the probe.

“Police executed search warrants in Aberfeldie, Melbourne CBD and Ravenhall on Tuesday, 1 February, in relation to an ongoing investigation by the Criminal Proceeds Squad,” the statement read.

“A 34-year-old Aberfeldie woman was arrested however she has been released pending further enquiries. The investigation remains ongoing.”

Ms Tricarico did not return calls from the Saturday Herald Sun.

Colleagues contacted by the newspaper defended Ms Tricarico.

While confirming a search warrant was served on the lawyer for documents, they said the police inquiries related to a client whom she has since stopped representing.

Ms Tricarico has made an impact on the legal scene since starting her own firm.

On its website it describes Ms Tricarico as the practice’s “smart and savvy principal” who has “developed an impressive reputation as a criminal defence lawyer”.

Apart from Mokbel, whom she has acted for since he began his appeal on the Lawyer X principle in 2017, she has been the go-to lawyer for other high-profile clients.

Among them is jailed northern suburbs organised crime kingpin George Marrogi, Ali Aydin, Warren Shea and Mokbel associate Dominic Barbaro.